What had already been a life-changing week for Rafael Campos – his wife, Stephanie, gave birth to their first child, daughter Paola, last Monday – took another turn down golf’s yellow brick road. The 36-year-old won the PGA Tour’s Butterfield Bermuda Championship on Sunday to secure his professional future for at least the next two years.
“It’s an unbelievable week. Best week of my life,” said Campos, who joined Chi Chi Rodriguez as the only Puerto Rican players to win on the PGA Tour.
Playing in windy conditions at Port Royal Golf Course, Campos shot a final-round 3-under-par 68 to finish at 19-under 265 and win by three strokes over Andrew Novak.
“I’m just so grateful to be able to call myself a PGA Tour champion. It’s something I’ve wanted all my life.”
Rafael Campos
It was a sudden, career-altering change of direction for Campos, who had missed 13 cuts in his previous 14 starts and was 147th in FedEx Fall points, well outside the top 125 to keep his full playing privileges for next year. Campos had just one top-10 finish this year, and ball-striking challenges had dinged his confidence.
Tied for the lead with Novak after 54 holes, Campos spoke to the urgency of his situation Saturday evening.
“I’m in a really tough spot right now on the FedEx. I did not want to be in this position. I want a job for next year – I really do – but I’ve put a lot of pressure and stress and just everything the last six months,” he said.
In addition to securing his tour privileges through 2026, Campos qualified for the Masters, the Players Championship, the PGA Championship and the season-opening Sentry signature event next year. He earned $1.242 million from the $6.9 million purse.
“I just can’t believe this is actually happening to me,” Campos said after his win, wiping tears from his eyes. “I’m just so grateful to be able to call myself a PGA Tour champion. It’s something I’ve wanted all my life.
“The game is so hard when things are not going well, to get yourself to be confident. Things have been so different this week.”
It began with the decision to induce labor last Monday so that Campos could be in Bermuda. He and his wife arrived home with their new baby around 5 p.m. Wednesday, giving him enough time to catch a flight in order to make his Thursday tee time.
While Campos secured his position for next year on the PGA Tour, others still have work to do at the RSM Classic this week, the final event of the 2024 season.
Hayden Springer, who entered last week sitting at No. 125 on the points list, was in good position until he shot 75 on Sunday, falling to 128th on the list. Dylan Wu, at No. 126 when the week began, also struggled, slipping to 131st with one event remaining.
Wesley Bryan moved up three spots to sit at No. 125 heading to Sea Island. Joel Dahman dropped three spots, to 124th, after a missed cut in Bermuda. Henrik Norlander tied for 57th in Bermuda but fell from 122 to 126 in the standings.
Ron Green Jr.